William J. Hausler, Jr. (1926-) received his A.B. and M.A. degrees in microbiology from the University of Kansas in 1951 and 1953, respectively, and his Ph.D. in microbiology and mathematics from the same institution in 1958. He began working as an associate bacteriologist in the Iowa public health laboratories in 1958; in 1965 he was appointed director of the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory, a position he held until his appointments as Director Emeritus and Professor Emeritus in 1995.

This collection documents Dr. Hausler’s activities in the American Society for Microbiology. The bulk of the materials relate to his service as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (1976-1982); Chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Microbiology (1984-89); and service as founding Chairman of the Committee on Laboratory Practices of ASM’s Public and Scientific Affairs Board. Dr. Hausler also served as an editor of the 3rd, 4th and 5th editions of ASM’s Manual of Clinical Microbiology.

Matters pertaining to clinical microbiology, including related issues of public policy, are of particular note in this collection.

SERIES 1: American Board of Medical Microbiology, 1974-82

The American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) was established in 1959 under the auspices of the American Academy of Microbiology to test the expertise of microbiologists seeking to direct public health or clinical microbiology laboratories. Board certified Diplomates are adjudged capable to direct public health and clinical microbiology laboratories within their specialty certification.

1. [ABMM, 1974-76]

2. [ABMM, 1975]

3. [ABMM, 1976-77]

4. ABMM correspondence, 1977

5. ABMM correspondence, 1978

6. ABMM, 1978

7.1.ABMM [1979]

7.2.ABMM [1979]

8. ABMM Oral Exams, [1980]

9. Calif. AB 1086 [Assembly Bill, 1979-80]

10.ABMM, 1980

11.Dr. Arthur J. Starr [1980]

12.ABMM Budget [1980]

13.ABMM Recertification [1980]

14.ABMM Exams, 1980 [1979-80]

15.[AAM Bylaw Changes, 1980]

16.Dr. Viola Mae Young Lab, 8/1980

17.ABMM 81

18.ABMM 1981 Exams

19.ABMM Exec. Comm. Mtg., Sept/Oct, 1981

20.Registrar Title for ABMM, 1981

21.B.W. Wilcke, Jr. ABMM Exam Appeal, Nov. 1981

22.ABMM Status Reports [1980-81]

23.Diplomate Caucus ABMM [1981]

24.ABMM 1981 ACT Dr. Jon Casey [American College Testing Service]

25.ABMM 1982 [1981-83]

26.ABMM Logo [1982]

27.ABMM Harrington Appeal ’82

28.Isenberg Complaint [1982]

29.ABMM Dr. Michael Skeels Program [1982]

30.ABMM Atlanta March 1982

31.ABMM Reports [1980-82]

32.ABMM FY82 Proposed Budget

33.Nat’l Registry of Microbiologists [1982]

34.Fellowship Nom. AAM Dr. M.J. Winship, June ’81 [1981-82]

SERIES 2: American Academy of Microbiology

The American Academy of Microbiology is composed of distinguished scientists who have been recognized for excellence in microbiology. The Academy sponsors programs focusing on furthering the scientific and professional recognition of microbiologists and the science of microbiology.

Note: ASM's Public Affairs Committee (PAC) was established in 1973, and was superseded by the Public and Scienitific Affairs Board in 1979. Hausler served PAC on its task force on CLIA in 1979. He was founding chairman of PSAB's Committee on Laboratory Practices in Microbiology from 1979-1984.